Difference between revisions of "Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance"

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[[Image:Human_Rights_City_Alliance_Logo_-w_TEXT-_copy_4.png|200px]]<br>
  
</div><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance<span style="display: block; text-align: center">Dignity & Justice for All of us</span></span><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">''<span style="display: block; text-align: center">"Human rights don't trickle down...they RISE UP!"</span>''<br /> </span><br /> ''Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance works to bring together diverse groups and individuals to help envision and realize a city that maximizes human rights and dignity for all people who live in our region. We work with local struggles to implement [https://www.ajamubaraka.com/peoplecentered-human-rights-as-a-framework-for-social-transformation ''people-centered human rights''] in Pittsburgh.''<br /> [[About the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance]]
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</div><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance<span style="display: block; text-align: center">Dignity & Justice for All of us</span></span><span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center">''<span style="display: block; text-align: center">"Human rights don't trickle down...they RISE UP!"</span>''<br /> </span><br />  
  
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<div style="text-align: center"><big><big>'''''COVID19 is a Reminder: [[Health is a Human Right]]!'''''</big></big>
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''Human rights principles and international law provide protections that can improve our capacities for managing this crisis and help prevent future crises like that we're seeing today.''
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*<big>'''Community Forum:''' '''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Learning_from_COVID-19:Shaping_a_Health_and_Human_Rights_Agenda_for_our_Region Learning from COVID-19: Shaping a Health and Human Rights Agenda for our Region]'''<br /></big>
  
* '''[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights Join the Human Rights City Alliance email list for updates on events & action opportunities]'''
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* '''New! [[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|Annual Report 2017]]''' --See what we accomplished last year!
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<div style="text-align: left">
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'''Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance''' works to bring together diverse groups and individuals to help envision and realize a city that maximizes human rights and dignity for all people who live in our region [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/6/6a/Human_Rights_City_Principles_October_2017.pdf (See Human Rights Cities Principles)]. We work with local struggles to implement [https://www.ajamubaraka.com/peoplecentered-human-rights-as-a-framework-for-social-transformation ''people-centered human rights''] in Pittsburgh.''<br />
 
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==[[Forums on Amazon HQ2 and the Right to the City|Forged for All? the Amazon HQ2 Debate & the Future of Pittsburgh]]==
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*[[About the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance]]
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**[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Steering_Committee Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance Steering Committee]
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* <big>'''[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/pghrights Join the Human Rights City Alliance email list for updates on events & action opportunities]'''</big>
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=Updates & Current Activities=  
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'''<big>[[Learning from COVID-19:Shaping a Health and Human Rights Agenda for our Region]]</big>'''<br>
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We can’t return to status quo if we are to prevent the multiple breakdowns and failures we’re now seeing with COVID-19. Resilience and long-term, community well-being requires dramatic improvements to public infrastructure and support for housing, food, & health security. We're working with diverse groups in the community to host this forum series and build a strong people’s movement to help us realize a society that prioritizes equity and the human right to health, so that every member of our community can live dignified lives. We'll meet alternate Thursdays from 4-5:30. [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Learning_from_COVID-19:Shaping_a_Health_and_Human_Rights_Agenda_for_our_Region  Click here for details, recordings and summaries of past discussions]
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*<big>'''Campaign for Reparations & Racial Justice'''</big>: Building a human rights city requires efforts to remedy past injustices and ensure that all residents have equitable opportunities to thrive. The [https://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/ International Decade on People of African Descent (2015-2024)] and the [http://www.400yearsofinequality.org/ 400th anniversary of the first auction of enslaved Africans in North America] provides an opportunity for renewing conversations about how we can address persistent inequities resulting from the United States's brutal history of slavery and genocide against people of African descent and indigenous peoples. '''[[Reparations Resource Guide]]'''
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*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/b/bc/Annual_Report_2019.pdf See our latest '''Annual Report''' 2019]
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*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Pittsburgh Pittsburgh joins national human rights review at the United Nations]
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*World Human Rights Day, December 10, 2019: [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/f/f2/Human_Rights_Day_2019_Media_advisory.pdf '''Media Advisory: Pittsburgh joins other cities recognizing International Human Rights Day & highlights persistent challenge of racial inequities''']
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=Bringing Human Rights Home=
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</big>*'''[[UPR Pittsburgh]] Bringing Global Human Rights Home: Pittsburgh's Human Rights Assessment & the United Nations'''</big>
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Together with human rights defenders around the country, Pittsburgh residents are working to bring the stories and accounts of human rights conditions in our region to the United Nations through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Over 2019-2020, the United States human rights record will be reviewed by international representatives and human rights experts, and the UN will issue a formal report with recommendations to the US government for improving respect for the country's international human rights obligations. A key to the UPR's effectiveness is engagement from civil society, and we're working to provide opportunities for residents to learn about human rights and the UPR process as we generate ideas for how we can make Pittsburgh and Southwest PA places where human rights thrive.
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*For more details see [http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Cities_Project UPR Cities Project]
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</br>
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'''Pittsburgh Activists File Report to UN on State of Human Rights in Region'''
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*[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/8/85/UPR_Pittsburgh_Stakeholder_Report_With_Exec_Summary.pdf Racial Inequity at the Core of Human Rights Challenges in Pittsburgh] -Full Pittsburgh Stakeholder Report to United Nations Universal Periodic Review of the U.S. Government, [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/5/54/Media_Release_UPR_Pittsburgh_2019.pdf 2-Page Summary]
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*[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/images/4/49/UPR_US_Cities_Stakeholder_Report_2019_Final_Submission_with_summary.pdf Pittsburgh joins other US Cities in UN Report: ''"Corporate Influence Threatens Human Rights in Communities Nationwide"''] (''*For more details on the national campaign see [http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Cities_Project UPR Cities Initiative]).''
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**See more details at: [[UPR Pittsburgh]]
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</Big>'''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/images/8/8d/Zero_Evictions_Proclamation_Final_October_2019.pdf Pittsburgh City Council Passes Zero Evictions Proclamation in Solidarity with Global Movement for Housing Justice]</big>
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==='''Calendar'''=== 
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*'''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Learning_from_COVID-19:Shaping_a_Health_and_Human_Rights_Agenda_for_our_Region Learning from COVID-19: Shaping a Health and Human Rights Agenda for our Region]''' '''Thursday June 11, 2020 4:00-5:30PM ''' '''Local & Global Strategies Advancing the Human Right to Housing.'''
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:The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed and deepened the long-standing housing crisis in our communities. At a time when everyone’s health demands that all residents have a safe and stable home, more and more people face housing insecurity and homelessness. How can cities and communities better protect people’s right to adequate housing? This webinar features Julieta Perucca, assistant to the former [https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Housing/Pages/HousingIndex.aspx UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Adequate Housing] and currently Deputy Director of global housing rights initiative, [https://www.make-the-shift.org/ The Shift]. Learn about the human right to housing around the world and strategies for using international law and the United Nations to advance housing and other human rights. We’ll hear from leaders in Birmingham and other cities using innovative strategies for keeping people in their homes and expanding affordable housing. City Representatives: Brandon Johnson, Director of the Office of Peace and Policy, City of Birmingham; Daniel Joseph Wiley, Housing organizer with Newark Ironbound Community; Crystal Jennings, Housing justice organizer with Pittsburgh’s Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition.
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To join the webinar visit: [https://pitt.zoom.us/j/99925342929  https://pitt.zoom.us/j/99925342929] [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Learning_from_COVID-19:Shaping_a_Health_and_Human_Rights_Agenda_for_our_Region  More details here]
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*:''The forum takes place alternate Thursdays, and upcoming sessions will be June 25, July 10... [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Learning_from_COVID-19:Shaping_a_Health_and_Human_Rights_Agenda_for_our_Region '''View details and recordings of past forums''']''
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*''MOVED ONLINE/DETAILS COMING SOON!'': Alternate Sundays Jan. 12-May 31: Discussion series: A Green New Deal for Western Pennsylvania convening to explore ideas for bringing a green new deal to our region. The group is reading essays from Naomi Klein's book ''On Fire: The (Burning) Case for the Green New Deal,'' and hears from local scientists, advocates, and organizations. Meetings are alternate Sundays from 5-7PM, Jan. 12-May 31. Location: 1 Smithfield/Human Services Building, Downtown PGH. Co-sponsored by the Sunrise movement, Extinction Rebellion, and Izaak Walton League. [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bPhN-AZjM4_7niQwFDHMOfxU02ZhwQrejnaM1_fhCSk/edit?usp=sharing See Schedule here].
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*'''POSTPONED: DATE TBD'''  '''Community Forum on Human Rights and Habitat'''  This community forum brings Pittsburgh voices to the United Nations as part of the global community's assessment of human rights conditions in the United States. Learn about how rights to housing, decent jobs, health, and other rights require efforts to protect the environment. Discuss ideas for policy changes that can help us better protect and advance the human rights of residents of our region, and learn how community groups can work to realize our vision of a city where everyone enjoys ''the human right to grow and prosper in a safe place of one's choice.'' Co-sponsors: The [http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=UPR_Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Universal Periodic Review task force], which includes: Alliance for Police Accountability, Casa San Jose, Green Party of Allegheny County, Hill District Consensus Group, Pittsburgh for CEDAW, Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, Just Harvest, City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission & Gender Equity Commission, Urbankind Institute, and others.
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*'''POSTPONED TO FALL 2020/Date TBD''' CMU Film Festival features ''Push'' --on the global housing crisis and its links with global finance and banking industry. Featuring a post-film panel with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Housing, Ms. Leilani Farha, whose work is featured in the film. '''3:00PM at CMU’s McConomy Auditorium.''' [https://www.cmu.edu/faces/ Click here for details]
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**'''Thursday, March 19 through Sunday April 5: CMU Film Festival features "Faces of Home,"''' covering everything from intimate settings and relationships to the promotion and alleged protection of national “homelands." [https://www.cmu.edu/faces/ Click here for more information].
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====Other meetings====
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*'''[https://pittsburghpa.gov/gec/index.html Pittsburgh's Gender Equity Commission]''' Monthly public meetings-3rd Tuesdays each month, 2:30-4:30PM in the City-County building 414 Grant St., downtown Pittsburgh [https://pittsburghpa.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2d1cea9d28ec87304eaf0e825&id=f2fbc5dba8 Subscribe to Gender Commission newsletter]
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*'''[https://campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/ Peoples Campaign for Reparations and Black Self-Determination]'''- Is hosting a series of community forums on this theme to help organize and build a Reparations Commission for Black residents of Pittsburgh. For more information visit [https://campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/  campaign4reparationsandselfdetermination.wordpress.com/]
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*'''[https://www.pittsburghforpublictransit.org/ Pittsburghers for Public Transit]''' second Wednesday of each month at 7pm at 1 Smithfield Street (Pittsburgh Human Services Building) downtown.
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*'''[https://pennplaza.wordpress.com/ Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition]''' every Monday, 6:00PM, 115 Beatty St. East Liberty.
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*'''[https://www.facebook.com/PghLandlessPeople/ Pittsburgh Union of Regional Renters]''', (412) 908-1603. First Saturdays 1pm 1 Smithfield Street (Pittsburgh Human Services Building) downtown
  
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=='''Housing Justice'''==
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*'''[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Housing_is_a_Human_Right! Housing is a Human Right-Letter to Officials]''' The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Leilani Farha, recently directed letters to governments and corporate leaders around the world, pointing out how prevailing policies violate international human rights obligations. This page has details and a template for contacting your local leaders to remind them of their international legal obligations.
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*'''[[Housing Justice Pittsburgh]]''' Building community power to fight displacement and promote our "Right to the City."
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*[http://housingsummitpgh.org/ Housing Summit 2018] Area organizations are working together to build a broad alliance for affordable housing in our region. Mark your calendars for our '''November 10, 2018 Housing Summit''', and watch for a series of events and activities aimed to develop new strategies for addressing Pittsburgh's housing crisis.
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*[[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow]]''' on international treaties and opportunities to promote the [[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|human right to housing]]<br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center"><br /> </span>
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*[[Forums on Amazon HQ2 and the Right to the City|Forged for All? the Amazon HQ2 Debate & the Future of Pittsburgh]]
 
Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.  
 
Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.  
 
*View '''community forums''' on the question of how an Amazon HQ2 would impact us:  
 
*View '''community forums''' on the question of how an Amazon HQ2 would impact us:  
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=='''Housing Justice'''==
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===[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=International_Human_Rights_Monitoring International Human Rights Monitoring]===
*[http://housingsummitpgh.org/ Housing Summit 2018] Area organizations are working together to build a broad alliance for affordable housing in our region. Mark your calendars for our '''November 10, 2018 Housing Summit''', and watch for a series of events and activities aimed to develop new strategies for addressing Pittsburgh's housing crisis.
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This page links to work by national and international human rights organizers to use international treaties and United Nations human rights review processes to hold local and national officials in the United States accountable to our international human rights obligations.
*[[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow]]''' on international treaties and opportunities to promote the [[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|human right to housing]]<br /> <span style="display: block; text-align: center"><br /> </span>
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===News & Updates===
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*'''UN Official Confronts Governments and Corporations on Housing Rights''': Recently, the [https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Housing/Pages/HousingIndex.aspx UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing], Leilani Farha held a press conference in Copenhagen to speak about letters released (see links below) to governments and corporations around the world including the United States and the Blackstone Group L.P. Ms. Farha spoke out directly against policies and laws which support housing as a commodity. In the letters to various governments, Ms. Farha stated that these policies and laws contradict governments’ international human rights obligations. Letters: [[:File:March_2019_Housing_UN_Rapp_USLetter_Financialization.pdf|UN Special Rapporteur Letter to US Government On Housing Policies as Human Rights Violations]], [https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Financialization/OL_OTH_17_2019.pdf Letter to Blackstone Investment Corporation], [https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Financialization/Reply_OL_OTH_17_2019.pdf Blackstone's response]. '''Campaign links''' [http://www.unhousingrapp.org/the-shift #MaketheShift] '''#HousingisaHumanRight'''!
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**'''We're working to get this message to Mayor Peduto and other public officials''': If your organization wants to sign this [[:file:Cover_Letter_PGH_Special_Rap_Letter_on_Housing_and_Human_Rigths_March_2019.pdf|*letter to public officials*]] please contact us at pghrights[at]riseup[dot]net or via Facebook PGHrights.  For more details see '''[http://wiki.humanrightscities.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Housing_is_a_Human_Right! Housing is a Human Right!]'''
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*'''Pittsburgh’s [http://pittsburghunited.org/ourwater/ Our Water Campaign] goes Global:''' The current issue of the Open Access [http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr ''Journal of World-Systems Research''] features a symposium on the problem of corporate power and its implications for local democracy. This project was inspired by the recent inter-city competition to host the Amazon 2nd headquarters. See: [http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr/article/view/899 "Water is a Human Right! Grassroots Resistance to Corporate Power!"] (by local water activist Caitlin Schroering).
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*[http://pgh4cedaw.org/the-ngo-committee-on-the-status-of-women-new-york-is-proud-to-announce-mayor-william-peduto-2019-recipient-cities-for-cedaw-global-leadership-award/ '''Pittsburgh for CEDAW Coalition helps bring Pittsburgh Human Rights Recognition'''] In March 2019, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/New York awarded Mayor Peduto the '''Cities for CEDAW Global Leadership Award''' for his work to implement sustaining policies which eliminate all forms of discrimination against women at the local level. This award would not have been possible without all the hard work of [http://pgh4cedaw.org/ PGH for CEDAW Coalition] members to push for the CEDAW ordinance and to design policy recommendations that would ensure its effective implementation.
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*[[:file:Housing_Justice_Meeting_Summary_March_2019.pdf|Summary of lessons from Housing Justice Movement-Building work 2016-2019]] This document provides a synthesis of ideas from conversations about how to advance the human right to housing and challenge market-oriented policies that continue to displace residents. ‎
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*''Print'' [[:file:Media_Print_coverage_of_Racial_Justice_Summit_2019.pdf|Media coverage of Racial Justice Summit]]- This report highlights our breakout session at the 2019 Summit, "Building an Intersectional Movement for Housing Justice"
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*Pittsburgh City Council and Mayor Peduto [[:File:Human_Rights_Day_2018_Proclamation_for_Human_Rights_Final_Edit.pdf|re-affirm their commitment to human rights]] at the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ([[:file:Human_Rights_Day_2018_Press_Release_Final.pdf|See Press Release December 10]])
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* '''[[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|Annual Report 2017]]''' --See what we accomplished last year!
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* '''[[National Human Rights Cities Alliance Workshop 2018, Washington DC]]'''
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<br />
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'''[http://wiki.pghrights.mayfirst.org/index.php?title=Human_Rights_Budgeting_Resource_Page Human Rights Budgeting-Ideas and Resources for transforming how our city plans]''': This page shares links and background resources about how activists around the world are working to change the scripts of local politics to prioritize human rights over economic measures of progress. We believe that urban planning and development should be explicit in its attention to human rights and equity. More democratic budgeting processes are key to making this happen, and that means we all need to learn more about how city budgeting works and how it could be re-organized to engage more of the people who live in our region.
  
 
=='''Take Action:'''</span><br /> ==
 
=='''Take Action:'''</span><br /> ==
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<br />
 
<br />
  
=='''<span class="wiki_link">Calendar</span>'''==
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<br /> '''''Regularly scheduled meetings/ Local Human Rights Groups'''''<br />  
 
 
*'''4th Annual Human Rights Picnic Sunday August 26th''' 3:00-6:00 PM Mellon Park, 1047 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Meet community residents and activists, learn about the work of partner organizations. Potluck/BYOB. To help plan this event contact pghrights[at]riseup [dot] net.
 
*'''Wednesday September 12th 6:00PM''' Housing Justice Organizing-- Local and National Homes for All. 1 Smithfield St. Human Services Building, Downtown Pittsburgh. Learn about the coalition of groups coming together to host the 2nd Pittsburgh Housing Summit and find out ways to get involved. Also, Pittsburgh's delegation to the national [https://righttothecity.org/homes-for-all-campaign-summary/ Homes for All Campaign] conference in Atlanta, GA will report on the national work for housing justice and how Pittsburghers can be part of this growing movement.
 
*'''Pittsburgh Housing Summit, Saturday November 10th ''' More details TBA 
 
 
 
<br /> '''''Regularly scheduled meetings'''''<br />  
 
  
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*'''[http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/EwE/ni0YAA/t.2ju/MZ5FhIuJRE6M67H8FS-nNA/h9/HE2UYZIDTZxfLuJ8qHDFiKcv9QeqMGLDJ3IrF8dj2B0Ouaw60AzJFHptdkvL7obNLtnqgKKygqGEz3GCaeb-2BejuSAvFe0lbbqDJcgXFmWtC-2F4OP5qFbK1yfFG5UZArja2rUcMykgMb7gDAlR3CoVTHq6R-2FV3WJuza27KcDVxiFAlu29p38dyAwSXFqBiE3cOCcz9NcUAg0RigmMyBPSsscV4-2BQ50OH6U-2BkjQJd28KcGH1MVKcVF9PH8aO64hDVT8AP6b8SGbKGTAB5AMbdr6pQjaBb55-2BObu-2B7JHVkIiF2upX6rAikS6G9RBQnNgtSKqz-2BoAT7bD82SwYBAfhxnNjbaJ7k5a3JxIivx-2BEJkPkNo-3D| Landless People's Alliance Monthly Gathering]''', Wednesdays at 5:30-7:00PM --Sept. 26, Oct. 31, November 28 –Location: Postal Workers Headquarters 841 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202-2705
 
** [http://apapgh.org/ Every first Wednesday of month: Alliance for Police Accountability ] 6:30-8:00PM Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave. Pgh 15206 (Childcare and food provided)
 
** [http://apapgh.org/ Every first Wednesday of month: Alliance for Police Accountability ] 6:30-8:00PM Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave. Pgh 15206 (Childcare and food provided)
** '''<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Cross Community (City-Wide) Tenant/Housing Rights Meeting </span>'''<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">1 Smithfield St. Downtown PGH (HHS Building). '''Regular''' </span>'''Meetings TBA''' ([[:file:Pittsburgh_Tenant_Union_Info.pdf|Learn more about Pittsburgh Tenants Union)]]
 
 
** <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">'''Every 3rd Thursday''' 7:00-8:30PM [http://pgh4cedaw.org/ Pittsburgh for CEDAW ](Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) meeting, Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave. Everyone is welcome.</span>
 
** <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 16px">'''Every 3rd Thursday''' 7:00-8:30PM [http://pgh4cedaw.org/ Pittsburgh for CEDAW ](Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) meeting, Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Ave. Everyone is welcome.</span>
 
<br /> <br /> '''<u>Alerts & Updates</u>'''<br />  
 
<br /> <br /> '''<u>Alerts & Updates</u>'''<br />  
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* See the[[:file:Conference_summary_-General_Version_3_2.pdf| summary of our Human Rights Cities Conference,]] hosted at the University of Pittsburgh
 
* See the[[:file:Conference_summary_-General_Version_3_2.pdf| summary of our Human Rights Cities Conference,]] hosted at the University of Pittsburgh
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2016.pdf| 2015 Annual Report]]: See what we've done in the past year as we look forward to strengthening Pittsburgh activism for human rights in the year ahead!
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* [[:file:Annual_Report_2017.pdf|2017 Annual Report]]
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* [[:file:Annual_Report_2016.pdf|2016 Annual Report]]: See what we've done in the past year as we look forward to strengthening Pittsburgh activism for human rights in the year ahead!
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2015.pdf|2015 Annual Report]]
 
* [[:file:Annual_Report_2015.pdf|2015 Annual Report]]
 
* [[:file:Human_Rights_Day_2017_Press_Release_Final.pdf| International Human Rights Day 2017 Press Conference]] at the City County Building
 
* [[:file:Human_Rights_Day_2017_Press_Release_Final.pdf| International Human Rights Day 2017 Press Conference]] at the City County Building
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* Are you a faculty or staff member or graduate student at an area university? Join our Pittsburgh Area University Human Rights Network
 
* Are you a faculty or staff member or graduate student at an area university? Join our Pittsburgh Area University Human Rights Network
 
* Share the word and help us carry out the [[Human Rights City Action Plan|Human Rights City Action Plan]]
 
* Share the word and help us carry out the [[Human Rights City Action Plan|Human Rights City Action Plan]]
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='''Resources'''=
 
='''Resources'''=
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'''People-Centered Human Rights: Analyses from Around the Nation and World'''
 
'''People-Centered Human Rights: Analyses from Around the Nation and World'''
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*[https://laane.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Unmasking-the-Hidden-Power-of-Cities.pdf “Unmasking the hidden power of cities”]. (LA-A New Economy for All LAANE, Partnership for Working Families, In the Public Interest) June 2018. 
 
*[[:file: Draft_Human_Rights_City_Principles_2017.pdf | Statement of Principles- National Human Rights City Alliance and People-Centered Human Rights]]
 
*[[:file: Draft_Human_Rights_City_Principles_2017.pdf | Statement of Principles- National Human Rights City Alliance and People-Centered Human Rights]]
 
* <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left">[[:file:UDHR_PGHedition_FOR_RELEASE.pdf|Pittsburgh edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] (Booklet format--PDF)</span>
 
* <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left">[[:file:UDHR_PGHedition_FOR_RELEASE.pdf|Pittsburgh edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] (Booklet format--PDF)</span>
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* ''[https://skl.se/download/18.2625f9e6145ac763d07be224/1401096812446/Local_initiatives_to_counter_violence_SALAR.pdf Local Initiatives to Counter Violence-Promoting Political Extremism]--'' This document from the Swedish Association of Local and Regional Authorities was produced following violence at a 1995 white-supremacy concert organized by a growing right-wing movement. Examples of local initiatives can guide work in other communities to counter the exclusionary and hateful messages of such groups.
 
* ''[https://skl.se/download/18.2625f9e6145ac763d07be224/1401096812446/Local_initiatives_to_counter_violence_SALAR.pdf Local Initiatives to Counter Violence-Promoting Political Extremism]--'' This document from the Swedish Association of Local and Regional Authorities was produced following violence at a 1995 white-supremacy concert organized by a growing right-wing movement. Examples of local initiatives can guide work in other communities to counter the exclusionary and hateful messages of such groups.
 
* '''[[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow]]''' on international treaties and opportunities to promote the [[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|human right to housing]]
 
* '''[[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow]]''' on international treaties and opportunities to promote the [[:file:Housing_as_a_Human_Right.pdf|human right to housing]]
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<br> [[OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute-Human Rights in Pittsburgh and Beyond, Resource Page]]
  
 
=Past events=
 
=Past events=

Revision as of 11:07, 3 June 2020

Human Rights City Alliance Logo -w TEXT- copy 4.png

Pittsburgh Human Rights City AllianceDignity & Justice for All of us"Human rights don't trickle down...they RISE UP!"

COVID19 is a Reminder: Health is a Human Right!

Human rights principles and international law provide protections that can improve our capacities for managing this crisis and help prevent future crises like that we're seeing today.


Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance works to bring together diverse groups and individuals to help envision and realize a city that maximizes human rights and dignity for all people who live in our region (See Human Rights Cities Principles). We work with local struggles to implement people-centered human rights in Pittsburgh.

Updates & Current Activities

Learning from COVID-19:Shaping a Health and Human Rights Agenda for our Region
We can’t return to status quo if we are to prevent the multiple breakdowns and failures we’re now seeing with COVID-19. Resilience and long-term, community well-being requires dramatic improvements to public infrastructure and support for housing, food, & health security. We're working with diverse groups in the community to host this forum series and build a strong people’s movement to help us realize a society that prioritizes equity and the human right to health, so that every member of our community can live dignified lives. We'll meet alternate Thursdays from 4-5:30. Click here for details, recordings and summaries of past discussions


Bringing Human Rights Home

*UPR Pittsburgh Bringing Global Human Rights Home: Pittsburgh's Human Rights Assessment & the United Nations Together with human rights defenders around the country, Pittsburgh residents are working to bring the stories and accounts of human rights conditions in our region to the United Nations through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. Over 2019-2020, the United States human rights record will be reviewed by international representatives and human rights experts, and the UN will issue a formal report with recommendations to the US government for improving respect for the country's international human rights obligations. A key to the UPR's effectiveness is engagement from civil society, and we're working to provide opportunities for residents to learn about human rights and the UPR process as we generate ideas for how we can make Pittsburgh and Southwest PA places where human rights thrive.


Pittsburgh Activists File Report to UN on State of Human Rights in Region

Pittsburgh City Council Passes Zero Evictions Proclamation in Solidarity with Global Movement for Housing Justice

Calendar

The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed and deepened the long-standing housing crisis in our communities. At a time when everyone’s health demands that all residents have a safe and stable home, more and more people face housing insecurity and homelessness. How can cities and communities better protect people’s right to adequate housing? This webinar features Julieta Perucca, assistant to the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Adequate Housing and currently Deputy Director of global housing rights initiative, The Shift. Learn about the human right to housing around the world and strategies for using international law and the United Nations to advance housing and other human rights. We’ll hear from leaders in Birmingham and other cities using innovative strategies for keeping people in their homes and expanding affordable housing. City Representatives: Brandon Johnson, Director of the Office of Peace and Policy, City of Birmingham; Daniel Joseph Wiley, Housing organizer with Newark Ironbound Community; Crystal Jennings, Housing justice organizer with Pittsburgh’s Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition.

To join the webinar visit: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/99925342929 More details here


  • MOVED ONLINE/DETAILS COMING SOON!: Alternate Sundays Jan. 12-May 31: Discussion series: A Green New Deal for Western Pennsylvania convening to explore ideas for bringing a green new deal to our region. The group is reading essays from Naomi Klein's book On Fire: The (Burning) Case for the Green New Deal, and hears from local scientists, advocates, and organizations. Meetings are alternate Sundays from 5-7PM, Jan. 12-May 31. Location: 1 Smithfield/Human Services Building, Downtown PGH. Co-sponsored by the Sunrise movement, Extinction Rebellion, and Izaak Walton League. See Schedule here.
  • POSTPONED: DATE TBD Community Forum on Human Rights and Habitat This community forum brings Pittsburgh voices to the United Nations as part of the global community's assessment of human rights conditions in the United States. Learn about how rights to housing, decent jobs, health, and other rights require efforts to protect the environment. Discuss ideas for policy changes that can help us better protect and advance the human rights of residents of our region, and learn how community groups can work to realize our vision of a city where everyone enjoys the human right to grow and prosper in a safe place of one's choice. Co-sponsors: The Pittsburgh Universal Periodic Review task force, which includes: Alliance for Police Accountability, Casa San Jose, Green Party of Allegheny County, Hill District Consensus Group, Pittsburgh for CEDAW, Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, Just Harvest, City of Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission & Gender Equity Commission, Urbankind Institute, and others.
  • POSTPONED TO FALL 2020/Date TBD CMU Film Festival features Push --on the global housing crisis and its links with global finance and banking industry. Featuring a post-film panel with United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Housing, Ms. Leilani Farha, whose work is featured in the film. 3:00PM at CMU’s McConomy Auditorium. Click here for details
    • Thursday, March 19 through Sunday April 5: CMU Film Festival features "Faces of Home," covering everything from intimate settings and relationships to the promotion and alleged protection of national “homelands." Click here for more information.

Other meetings

Housing Justice

  • Housing is a Human Right-Letter to Officials The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, Leilani Farha, recently directed letters to governments and corporate leaders around the world, pointing out how prevailing policies violate international human rights obligations. This page has details and a template for contacting your local leaders to remind them of their international legal obligations.
  • Housing Justice Pittsburgh Building community power to fight displacement and promote our "Right to the City."
  • Housing Summit 2018 Area organizations are working together to build a broad alliance for affordable housing in our region. Mark your calendars for our November 10, 2018 Housing Summit, and watch for a series of events and activities aimed to develop new strategies for addressing Pittsburgh's housing crisis.
  • Housing is a Human Right: Slideshow on international treaties and opportunities to promote the human right to housing

Learn more about how Amazon's bid to move to Pittsburgh would affect human rights here. Resources, data, and recordings of community forums.


International Human Rights Monitoring

This page links to work by national and international human rights organizers to use international treaties and United Nations human rights review processes to hold local and national officials in the United States accountable to our international human rights obligations.


News & Updates


Human Rights Budgeting-Ideas and Resources for transforming how our city plans: This page shares links and background resources about how activists around the world are working to change the scripts of local politics to prioritize human rights over economic measures of progress. We believe that urban planning and development should be explicit in its attention to human rights and equity. More democratic budgeting processes are key to making this happen, and that means we all need to learn more about how city budgeting works and how it could be re-organized to engage more of the people who live in our region.

Take Action:



Regularly scheduled meetings/ Local Human Rights Groups



Alerts & Updates

  • Campaign to Stop Plan to Increase Policing on Public Transit-- This campaign led by the Alliance for Police Accountability, Casa San Jose, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, and the Thomas Merton Center warns that the Port Authority's planned fare enforcement policy will unfairly impact communities of color, increase the problematic trend of criminalizing young people, and threaten immigrant residents.The campaign is calling for civilian fare enforcers rather than armed Port Authority Police and a citation process rather than a criminal process to deal with fare evasion (See FAQs for more information). Community organizations and individuals are asked to write letters to the Port Authority in support of this campaign (see sample letter).
  • PIttsburgh Public Schools Passes Sanctuary Resolution
  • Pittsburgh becomes 6th US City for CEDAW A broad coalition of human rights advocates helped advance a new ordinance enacting the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in our City, December 6, 2016. Stay involved in the work to carry out this commitment to better address needs of women and girls, families and communities in our city! www.pgh4cedaw.org


University-Based Projects

  • Pittsburgh area university faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to join the University Human Rights Network. We invite volunteers from different campuses to help support work on your campus and coordinate with other campuses.
  • Pitt Human Rights Initiative
  • Campus worker organizing: Pitt faculty, graduate student workers, and other workers are organizing for their rights and to support and protect the right to education. Keep informed about the campaign on their website and Facebook page


How to get involved

Please get in touch if you're interested in some of these ongoing projects or in efforts to follow-up some of these past initiatives. We are an all-volunteer group and are working to create spaces for residents to work together to envision and build a different kind of city and region. pghrights [at] riseup [dot] net.




NEW Research on Pittsburgh and Human Rights Organizing:
Responding to Globalization and Urban Conflict: Human Rights City Initiatives Studies in Social Justice

Dangerous Times: Defending Human Rights
Values are fragile. Because the values of human rights depend foremost on the ability to empathize with others”to recognize the importance of treating others the way we would want to be treated ”they are especially vulnerable to the demagogue's exclusionary appeal. A society's culture of respect for human rights needs regular tending, lest the fears of the moment sweep away the wisdom that built democratic rule. Human Rights Watch "World Report 2017: Demagogues Threaten Human Rights-Trump, European Populists Foster Bigotry, Discrimination."


Defend Pittsburghers' Right to Stay in their City! Housing Justice
**Affordable Housing Initiative:** **Pittsburgh Housing Summit** (Resources and links to recordings of plenary sessions) "Don't evict Pittsburgh!" Housing is a human right! The essence of our city is people and communities--not buildings, businesses, and tourist attractions.Homes for All Pittsburgh

*The Human Rights City Alliance works to promote and support activities of all human rights advocates around the region. Please contact us about relevant events/activities to share: pghrigts [at] riseup.net .

About the Human Rights City Alliance

How to Get Involved


Resources

Link to more resources--toolkits, reports, and organizations supporting local human rights work

People-Centered Human Rights: Analyses from Around the Nation and World


OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute-Human Rights in Pittsburgh and Beyond, Resource Page

Past events

World Food Day 2015: Watch video recording of October 2015 panel on the Right to Food
International Workers Day March for Immigrant Rights 2016 Statement of Unity and Solidarity


Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Website: pghrights.org Facebook: pghrights



https://www.facebook.com/groups/pghrights/
#pghrights
e-mail: pghrights [at] riseup.net

Universal Declaration of Human Rights booklet with Pittsburgh's Human Rights City Proclamation

YWCA Pledge Stand against racism


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